Raymond Sachs
raymond sachs
The Ride, Issue 107
"[Commuting is] not a decision per se," he said. "It's just when the time comes to run to the grocery store, pharmacy, video store, hardware store or Thai take-out place, for loads that aren't that huge, I'd generally rather do it on my bike." While his motives may not be political, Sachs is certainly aware of the positive impact of cycling. "Just think how much better shape our country would be in if everyone did even half of their short trips by bike or on foot," he said. "Less air pollution, less stress, way less oil consumption...It's fun, easy and good for you." A typical commute for Sachs can be as quick as a couple of miles, but sometimes turns into a slightly longer affair. "Occasionally a short ride feels just perfect and I don't want to get off the bike. Usually wearing street clothes I suddenly find myself 15 miles from where I was heading with a grin the size of Texas. The wide part," he said. "Most recent one like that was a fixed gear commute in the rain a couple of months ago. Everything felt so good the cars didn't exist, the rain was gentle and warm, the fixed gear assures that you are one with the bike. I didn't want it to end. Stretched it out a bit but had to get to work." But the cycling doesn't stop at work. Sachs is a transportation planner. "I work with my local cycling coalition as part of my job," said Sachs. "I spend as much time as I can working to improve conditions for cyclists on our local roads, although sometimes it is a real fight out here in exurban U.S.A." Sometimes the way to win more respect on the roads is simply to cycle more. "I get all sorts of strange looks from motorists, but I'm around town enough that I tend to see a lot of the same people and they are used to me," Sachs said. They may not be used to all of his bicycles, though, as Sachs rotates frequently between a Jamis touring bike, a Bianchi fixed gear, a Lemond cyclocross bike, which has studded tires for winter riding, and his Rivendell road bike ("the nicest bike I've ever thrown a leg over"). And, for the record, when asked if he is related to a certain framebuilder with the same surname, Sachs replied, "Ha! I wish. I've talked to Richard a couple of times...and have tried to convince him that we're long lost cousins. He quickly sussed that I was in search of a family discount, however, and assured me there was no relation." Despite buying a mountain bike seven years ago when the 43 year old resumed his courtship with cycling, most of his four to six thousand annual miles are logged on the road. Sachs has ridden in Utah, toured in Nova Scotia and even across the pond in Wales, but has found that there is no place like home. Living in the densely populated area between Philadelphia and Wilmington, Sachs enjoys the best of both cycling worlds. "My commute is urban, through neighborhoods, commercial areas and the industrial area. No major hills," said Sachs, whose biggest concern on his commute is "getting pelted by snowballs from some of the local punks." When the weekend comes, however, the rural roads are just a short ride away. "Most of my recreational riding is on country roads through Amish farms, weathly horse country and other assorted bits of Pennsylvania countryside," said Sachs, adding, "There are hills out there." Living so close to Philly, Sachs has seen the annual USPro Championships more than once. "You can't appreciate how strong those guys are until you see them sprinting up a hill on the last lap with everyone trying to get an advantage," he said. Although he is impressed, that healthy respect doesn't necessarily translate into a desire to join the peloton. "I have no interest in racing myself," he said. "I ride because I love it..." | more supercommuters » BikeCulture Magazine and Planet Bike honor the silent hero of the Revolution: the bicycle commuter. A supercommuter rides through every season, in all types of weather, day and night. Choosing the simplicity, health and pleasure of bicycling, a supercommuter isn't necessarily against automobiles. They simply prefer to ride a bike to the grocery store, to work, to a concert or the cafe. nominate a supercommuter » For each issue BikeCulture chooses a new Supercommuter. They are posted here in addition to BikeCulture Magazine. |
